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Monday, June 13, 2011

INTERVIEW MISSY MARTINE

Well here it is Monday sweeties, and I can't tell you the hectic week ahead. Not only will BRB have a new post every second day, but I'll be up to my next in it. LOL I've got editing, a new release and articles to finish. But thank goodness I've got some really awesome guests to keep you entertained! LOL Enough of my complaining and please welcome author Missy Martine!

Who is, Missy Martine? Tell us about yourself.

Tell you about Missy Martine, hmmm. Well, I’m kind of old to be starting a new career but that’s exactly what I’ve done. I retired from nursing back in 2002 for health reasons and for six years did nothing but watch daytime television and read romance novels. I didn’t start writing until 2008 and nobody is more surprised than me that it’s worked out so well. I’m married, for the second time; to the most wonderful man you’d ever want to meet. I met him in an Internet chat room back in 1997 and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Even after all these years he’s still as romantic as the day I met him. I don’t have children of my own, but I do have two beautiful stepdaughters that I don’t get to see nearly often enough. I do have three feline boys that allow me to live in the same house with them as long as I cater to t heir every whim. Lastly, I’ve gone a long way toward regaining my health during the last year. With the help of surgery, I love 158 pounds in the last 12 months and literally feel like a new person. I’m only 5’3” and I did weigh 302 lbs so you can imagine the difference in my energy level and general disposition. I’m always happy to talk about that part of my recovery so anybody interested can feel free to drop me a line and we’ll talk – missymartine@comcast.net

When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I can’t really say I ever dreamed of becoming a writer. After I had such a slow recovery from my strokes back in 2002 my husband was worried that my spirit was dying from not having anything creative to do. He put up with my depression for a few years and then in 2008 he nagged me into writing my first book. Basically he dared me to do it. He said that I’d certainly read enough of them to know how to do it so why didn’t I create my own. I’ve never been one to turn down a dare so I began writing Table for Three.

Who and/or what prompted you to write your first novel?

Although it was my husband that goaded me into writing my first book, it was Leah Brooke that inspired the content of my first book. I was going through a pretty dry spell in my marriage. Stroke recovery does not inspire romance in anybody. Then, I got my hands on Leah’s Desire for Three from her Desire, Oklahoma series. It absolutely turned my life and my marriage back around by bringing romance back into my life. I wanted to be able to write a romance book that could give someone else hopes that romance might not be dead for them.

Where and/or how do you find the greatest inspiration?

My extremely fertile imagination, some might say warped, has given me most of my inspiration. My favorite television shows have been Charmed, Angel and the Stargate series. Needless to say I enjoy writing paranormal the best. Just about anything can give me an idea for a story. For instance, an oil spill a while back has me writing a story about a scientist that invented a new chemical for dissolving oil spills with no danger to the environment. The chemical doesn’t hurt our coasts or our plant life but it does affect a race of people who live deep inside the depths of our coldest seas. Are you getting the picture? J I get ideas from news stories, and sometimes from things my cats do. That’s where the “weird” comes in.

What made you chose to write erotic literature in particular? And is there any other genre you’d like to write? And if so, why?

I chose erotic because that’s what most of us are missing from our lives. By us, I mean middle age women who long for the feelings of “first love” again but certainly wouldn’t trade in our loved ones to go in search of it. Erotic romances let us feed our need for fantasy and romance in a safe and personal way. I don’t think I’d ever write in another genre, but I do plan to concentrate mostly on erotic paranormal.

Which appears first when contemplating a new project: A character, the plot and/or the title?

When I write the plot comes first. It can be a tiny idea for a plot and everything grows from there. Next are the characters and finally a title. I begin my writings with an outline – brief of the basics of the story. Then I create an excel file to invent the characters. I give them names, physical descriptions and brief histories. I need to know how they relate to each other and any defining personality traits. It’s a lot easier to create dialog between characters if you’ve already decided one is a bigot, with no sense of humor who’s arguing with a free-spirited, lesbian that loves to laugh. After my characters are created I do a detailed outline of the entire book. Then I begin writing. I have to write this way because I still suffer with short-term memory loss and I’d get lost in my story or repeat things if I didn’t keep close watch where I am.

What’s the hardest part of a novel for you to write: Beginning, middle and/or end? Why?

The love scenes are always the hardest for me to write. It’s because I have to be extra careful not to repeat phrases, positions or words for body parts since I have the short-term memory loss. I’ve worked a system that works pretty well. I have a file I keep of “sex words”. It has several thousand words and phrases to use. I map out all my love scenes, picking like 10 different phrases for each scene I’m to write so I don’t ever use the same phrase twice in the same book. I still worry that they will begin to sound repetitious and I read each one carefully and so far, I’ve been lucky in that they’re all really different.

Has your own life influenced your novels? And if so, how?

My first book, Table for Three, was based on my own first abusive marriage. Just like Cass, I found the courage to walk away after twenty long years. And, just like Cass, I found my much younger husband just a short time later. Of course, unlike Cass, my younger husband isn’t part of a pair of identical twins. Guess you can’t have everything!

Writing sex/romantic scenes can be a challenge for some authors. Do you find it difficult? If yes, how do you compensate? If no, where do you draw your inspiration?

Well, I’ve already told you how I map out my love scenes to make them less of a challenge. I think they will always remain a challenge since there are only so many words to describe certain body parts and positions. As for my inspiration, I’m married to a man ten years younger in his prime – need I say more? He makes it his personal goal in life to put as many new things in my books as he can – and I think he likes the fact his co-workers think he “lives” my stories.

Do you have a method you use to write the sensual parts? Do you prefer the sex to be open and bold? Or left to the imagination?

I like the sex I write, and what I read, to be open and bold. It’s frustrating for me to have a big build up to a couple having sex and then in the next paragraph they’re already finished and you’ve not had the benefits of the details. If you’re going to write erotic you might as well put the erotic in there.

Are your characters based on people you know? Or are they completely fictitious?

Except for my first book being based on my own marriage, none of my books have people based on anyone I know. Everybody came from my imagination.

Who is your favorite character, which you’ve created? And why?

I used to answer Maddie Bowers from Discovering Her Wolfen Heritage to this question but I’ve changed my mind since writing Catch Her When She Falls. Serena Dammler begins as a vicious, lying woman who’ll do anything to break up Maddie and the twins so she can have them herself in Table for Three. When I bring the character back in Catch Her When She Falls we learn what’s made her the way she is and watch as the love of two good men can make her see the goodness in herself. She overcomes the pain of her own past and finds a way to bring happiness to those around her. Quite a transformation and quite a challenge to bring it around.

Can you tell us about your latest release? Give a synopsis.

Catch Her When She Falls is my latest release. It’s the sequel to Table for Three. The story picks up with the malicious phone call Serena makes to Cass’s ex-husband and moves forward from there. You’ll have all those unanswered questions answered. Here’s a blurb.

Serena Dammler is recovering from a savage beating and needs protection. Cowboys and lovers Marc Weller and Tony Estabon are taking jobs as bounty-hunters, and their newest assignment is to capture her attacker and return him to Texas. They take one look at Serena’s fragile beauty and decide she’d be the perfect third to their family.

Serena’s always dreamed of catching herself a rich man, and she’d do just about anything to make that dream come true. She’s not going to allow herself to fall in love with her two cowboy protectors, no matter how sexy they are.

Marc and Tony want Serena as their third, but they want her love to be real and not based on their bank accounts. So what will it hurt if they take her to a little cabin on their ranch and pretend to be simple cowboys?

What’s your newest WIP? And when we can expect a publication date?

My newest WIP was just accepted by eXtasy Books for an April 15th release. It’s called The Magic in Her Gift and it’s my first release with them. Here’s a blurb.

Sara’s finally getting what she wants out of life, a husband, a new home and a family of her own. Okay, so she doesn’t love him. She’s very fond of him, at least most of the time. She’s not getting any younger and that biological clock is ticking away.

Everything’s going according to her plans when a ghostly visit from her dying grandmother turns her life upside down. She’s leaving Sara the magic to make all her dreams come true. It’s too bad she dies before telling her granddaughter how to make it work.

Sara travels to a romantic, private island off the coast of New Guinea to settle her grandmother’s estate and dreams of the perfect man. He’s handsome, sexy and hopelessly in love with her. He’s also running out of time. Will she find the magic in her gift to bring him to life before it’s too late?

Other works that are in progress and nearing completion include a time-travel, back to the old west ménage M/M/F called Anna Doubles Down, another contemporary M/M/F ménage about a pair of men who hire a surrogate so they can raise a baby, a 6 part series called Galactic Nuptials about an agency that provides mates/brides to species that have female shortages. The first 2 books of this series are called Space Bride and Meredith’s Pride. All the books in the series are ménage and many are shapeshifter. I was able to have real fun creating other worlds and species.

How many novels do you have, that are currently published? Please list all the publishers, so the readers can locate you.

I’m not sure I have a really good answer for this. I’m happy writing to the audience I have at the rate I’m working at. I don’t have visions of my name being on the New York Time’s Best Selling list but I’d like to speed up my skills so that I have a new release at least every thirty days. I’m not a young woman, of course I’m not old either, but I leave plenty of time to enjoy life so I have things to write about.

Thanks so much for having me here today; it’s been great fun telling you all about myself and about my books. I hope you’ll stop by my website and sign my guestbook.

Cass Abernathy is forty-three and she's getting a second chance at life, and maybe even love. She's finally divorced, after years of abuse, when she learns an unknown uncle in Oregon has left her his estate, and more importantly, his house. Filled with hope for her future and excited to have a place of her own, Cass heads west not knowing what she'll find.

What she finds are hot and sexy twin brothers intent on making her a part of their lives. It's too bad they're so much younger because they bring out feelings she's never had before.

Meanwhile, there's someone else interested in Cass' inheritance, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure he wins.

Will Cass overcome her fears and open her heart to the two men who love her, and will she discover the truth about her inheritance before it's too late?

Excerpt:

STORY EXCERPT

BAM! BAM! BAM!

The pounding on the bathroom door startled her.

“Cass, honey, did you drown in there?” David’s voice came through the closed bathroom door sounding amused.

“No, I didn’t drown, but I did lose track of time. I’m out now and just about ready to get dressed.”

“Okay, honey, dinner’s ready, and we’re waiting for you in the family room. Matt and I just put on sweat pants so don’t get all dressed up. Now chop, chop, time’s a wasting. If you don’t get your beautiful ass out here soon, we’ll just have to come in and get you.”

Cass swallowed hard before she replied. “That won’t be necessary. I’m coming out now, so you need to leave so I can get dressed.”

“Sure you don’t need help with a zipper or something?” David’s voice sounded amused. “I’ll be happy to stick around to offer my services.”

“No thanks, David. I believe I have everything covered. Run along now like a good boy.”

“Woof.” David laughed. “I’m leaving now, honey.” A few seconds later, she heard the door to the hall close. Quickly, Cass went into the bedroom, got her clothes from the dresser, and put them on as fast as she could. She’d already decided on a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt before David said anything. She debated briefly on not wearing a bra, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She did put on her most sexy one though, and the matching thong that went with it. She bought a few sexy lingerie items when she had treated herself this past year trying to build her self-esteem. She’d found that just knowing she wore them under her clothes made her feel feminine and more confident.

Cass gazed at her reflection in the mirror above the dresser.

So now you're bathed, dressed, perfumed, and you’re ready to see what the guys have in mind.

She strode quickly toward the door. Reaching for the doorknob, she noticed her hands shake slightly. Gripping them together tightly, she took a deep breath and went to look for her guys.

Matt and David looked up when Cass walked through the door. Jumping to their feet, they gave her a look that made her think they wanted to eat her alive.

“Yes, thanks. The bath was great. It was just what I needed.” Cass’s voice trailed off when she noticed that both men had very noticeable erections tenting out their sweat pants. Feeling her cheeks get hot, she quickly looked away.

Cass saw that they made three stacks of pillows on top of a huge quilt they spread out on the carpet in front of the fireplace. A roaring fire heated the picnic area while candles on the mantle and several other tables provided the only light. The stereo played soft music. The room fairly screamed seduction.

“Come on over, then, baby. Take a seat here and let us feed you some dinner.” Grinning, Matt patted the pile of pillows between him and David.

Cass smiled when she realized that if she sat where he pointed, she’d be sandwiched between the two brothers. Taking a deep breath for courage, she walked over to the pillows he patted and gracefully sat down. Immediately, the two men moved closer to her, touching their knees to hers.

“Here, honey.” David handed her a wine goblet as he spoke. “Have a glass of wine. I guarantee it’ll relax anything on you that your bath didn’t.”

“Thanks, David.” Cass took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “So what do we have to eat, guys?” Nervously, she took a drink of her wine. Cass had never been much of a drinker, but this tasted good and seemed to warm her all over. “This is really good, kind of fruity.”

David looked pleased. “I’m glad you like it.”

Matt leaned over to whisper in her ear. “We’ve got all sorts of good things to eat here, Cass. Why don’t you just sit back and relax and let us take care of everything?” Cass could feel his lips moving against her skin as he talked. Chills ran over her when she felt his tongue lick the outer edge of her ear. Frantically, she raised her glass and took another large drink of her wine.

“Whoa, honey, let’s take this wine just a little slower. We don’t want you passing out on the good times tonight.” David took the wine glass out of her hands and then winked at her.

He raised a plump strawberry to her lips and rubbed it back and forth, tempting her to take a bite. Cass swallowed hard and then bit into the juicy fruit. She laughed a little self-consciously when the juice dribbled down her chin, then gasped when David leaned over and licked it off.

“You always smell so good, just like strawberries. I’ve been dying to make you taste the same way." David whispered the words against her lips, then sealed their mouths together, sliding in his tongue giving her his taste to blend with the strawberry.

Cass felt Matt press into her side while his arms slid around her waist. When David pulled back from their kiss, she turned her head to look at his brother. She giggled when she saw what he was doing. He had a bright red strawberry clutched between his teeth, and he was slowly advancing toward her. Her breath caught in her throat when he got close. She knew he wanted her to take the berry from his mouth, and she wasn’t about to disappoint him.

She leaned forward to meet him halfway, and gently closed her teeth around the berry. When she bit down and pulled her half away, she only had time to chew once before Matt pulled her close for a passionate kiss.

Catch Her When She Falls

Blurb:

Serena Dammler is recovering from a savage beating and needs protection. Cowboys and lovers Marc Weller and Tony Estabon are taking jobs as bounty-hunters, and their newest assignment is to capture her attacker and return him to Texas. They take one look at Serena’s fragile beauty and decide she’d be the perfect third to their family.

Serena’s always dreamed of catching herself a rich man, and she’d do just about anything to make that dream come true. She’s not going to allow herself to fall in love with her two cowboy protectors, no matter how sexy they are.

Marc and Tony want Serena as their third, but they want her love to be real and not based on their bank accounts. So what will it hurt if they take her to a little cabin on their ranch and pretend to be simple cowboys?

Excerpt:

STORY EXCERPT

“What room is Serena Dammler in?” Marc smiled at the elderly woman sitting at the information desk in the lobby of Pioneer Hospital. His fingers drummed impatiently on the counter while she pulled up the information on her computer.

“She’s on the second floor, room two twenty-one.” She pointed down the hall. “The elevators are down there on the left.”

“Thank you,” he mumbled and motioned for Tony to follow him. Silently, they entered the elevator and punched the button for the second floor. “After we talk to Ms. Dammler, we should drive by the sheriff’s office. We don’t wanna be busting heads with the local fuzz.”

Tony grunted, but didn’t say anything. The doors opened and together the two men walked over to the nurse’s desk and looked around. Marc didn’t see anybody at first, and then voices drifted out from a small room behind the desk.

“Dr. Farin’s not happy about having her admitted to his service. I think he avoids making rounds on her whenever he can.”

“Well, what do you expect?” The unknown female snorted. “It’s hard to feel sorry for somebody that finally got what they deserved.”

“You really believe Serena deserved to get beaten up? I went to school with her, and she’s not so bad.”

“That’s your opinion, but I guarantee the rest of the women in this town don’t feel the same. I still remember when Randy fell all over himself fixing her car last year. For free, no less. She came around the shop in her skimpy clothes, practically drooling all over him.”

“Do you think he slept with her?”

“He always claimed I was imagining things, but I never really believed him. Hell, Joseph told us all about the things she was into.”

Marc had heard enough. “Excuse me,” he called out loudly. He waited for one of the women to stick her head out of the room.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.” An attractive blond woman dressed in pink scrubs walked over to the counter, followed closely by a brunette who could have passed for her twin. Both women were young and had badges on their uniforms identifying them as Evie and Alice.

Tony leaned close to Marc’s ear and whispered. “Stepford nurses.”

Camouflaging his snort with a cough, Marc pulled out his notebook and wrote down the names of the two nurses. “Which way is room two twenty-one?”

The women glanced briefly at each other and then the blonde spoke up, nodding toward the end of the hall. “It’s the next to the last room down there on the right.”

The brunette smirked. “Are you friends of the patient?”

The emphasis on the word friends wasn’t lost on Marc. He narrowed his eyes and put his notebook aside. “No, we’ve never met the lady. Let me ask you something, Alice. Have you and Evie ever heard of HIPPA laws?”

Alice hunched her shoulders and looked down at her feet. “Of course we have. Why do you ask?”

“Because you’ve violated patient confidentiality about a dozen times since we’ve been standing here.” Without another word, Marc walked away with Tony following close behind.

Just as they reached the end of the hall, the door to room two twenty-one opened, and a tall man wearing a law-enforcement uniform stepped out. His name plaque identified him as Sheriff Burtram. Marc stopped and eyed the man critically. “Sheriff Burtram, I’m Marc Weller, and this is my partner Tony Estabon. We were sent by the Houston PD to track and retrieve one Eric Abernathy. I understand he had an altercation with one of your citizens Friday evening.”

Sheriff Burtram glanced from Marc to Tony and back again. “According to Serena’s statement, she practically invited him up here and then refused to give him the information he wanted when he showed up.” He chuckled. “Understandably, he was a mite pissed off after coming all this way.”

Marc gritted his teeth, struggling to control his temper. “Sheriff, you do realize that Eric Abernathy is a convicted felon now presently guilty of parole violation as well as wanted for a new list of charges?”

“Yeah, I know all about the boy’s background. His conviction was for malicious mischief. That hardly qualifies him for leg irons.”

“The man beat a woman severely enough for her to be hospitalized,” Tony said with a growl.

“Yes, I know the details. He had a little tiff with his wife, and he paid the ultimate price. Doesn’t make him a habitual criminal.”

“Except that now he’s gone and put another woman in the hospital. Most folks in law enforcement would call him a serial offender.” Marc couldn’t believe the attitude of the man.

“Well, son, let’s not forget that this little lady invited him to the party. She had an agenda all her own and tried to get him to do her dirty work for her. This time, things just happened to go wrong.”

“Sheriff, have you got your men out looking for Eric?” Marc asked.

“Yes, they’ve been given a description and told to keep their eyes open. But, I’ll tell you the same thing I told Cass. That boy’s long gone by now. He skedaddled out of there as soon as he heard my sirens, and he’s probably still running as fast as he can.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “Are you planning on going in to talk to Serena?”

“Yes, we need to get her statement before we do anything else. Unless there’s some reason you don’t want us talking to her.” Marc just wanted to wipe the smug smile off the asshole’s face.

“No, not at all. You go right ahead, but you best be careful. Serena will be all over you two like white on rice. She’s partial to young, handsome men.” Laughing, he walked away.

Tony sighed deeply. “Let’s get this over with so we can get the hell out of here.”

Thanks so much for stopping by, Missy! I wish you the very best for the future! On June 15th Rick Reed will be here - can't wait! June 17th Edward is back and June 18th BL Morticia will also be here! There's a great week ahead. I hope you can take a moment to check out the posts! Happy Yaoi Hunting!Blak Rayne ^_^!!